It happens all the time. You’re watching the New York City news, and you hear about a heated debate between the Mayor and the City Council Speaker. Then you realize they both have the same last name. Naturally, the first thing you wonder is: is Adrienne Adams related to Eric Adams?
The short answer? No. Not even a little bit.
Honestly, it’s one of those weird coincidences that makes New York politics feel like a small town. Despite sharing the "Adams" surname and presiding over the same city during a chaotic era, they aren't cousins, siblings, or distant relatives. They are, however, two people whose lives have been weirdly intertwined for decades.
The Bayside High Connection
If they aren't family, why does everyone think they are? Part of the confusion stems from their genuine, long-term history.
Believe it or not, they actually went to high school together. Both attended Bayside High School in Queens and graduated in the same year, 1978. It sounds like the plot of a movie—two kids from the same graduating class growing up to run the biggest city in America.
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Adrienne has joked about this in interviews, mentionining that they ran in very different circles back then. While Eric was navigating a much tougher path (he's been open about his run-ins with the law and police as a teen), Adrienne was focused on her studies. They weren't "friends" in the way we think of high school buddies; they were more like two faces in a very large yearbook who happened to end up in the same industry forty years later.
A Tale of Two Careers
- Eric Adams: He took the path of the NYPD, eventually becoming a captain before moving into the State Senate and then serving as Brooklyn Borough President.
- Adrienne Adams: She spent nearly 30 years in the private sector. She was a corporate trainer for big names like Goldman Sachs before she ever dipped her toe into the Queens Community Board world.
The Power Struggle Nobody Talks About
Just because they aren't related doesn't mean their relationship is simple. In fact, it's been pretty rocky.
When Adrienne was running for Council Speaker, Eric (who was Mayor-elect at the time) didn't actually want her in the job. He was pushing hard for Francisco Moya. He wanted an ally. But the City Council members wanted independence, so they chose Adrienne.
That "political defeat" for Eric right at the start of his term set a bit of a chilly tone. They’ve spent the last few years battling over everything from police transparency (the "How Many Stops Act") to housing policy. It’s a classic New York power struggle, made even more confusing for the public because the headlines always read "Adams Vetoes Adams" or "Adams Overrides Adams."
Why the Confusion Persists
Names carry weight. In New York, political dynasties are a real thing (think the Cuomos or the Wagners). People just assume that if two powerful Black leaders from Queens and Brooklyn share a name, there must be a family tree involved.
But "Adams" is a common name. Adrienne Eadie Adams was born in 1960, and Eric Leroy Adams was born that same year. They both grew up in Southeast Queens, which is a tight-knit community of Black middle-class and working-class families. Their parents were even similar—both sets were hardworking union members. Adrienne's mom was a corrections officer; Eric's mom was a house cleaner and cook.
They share a demographic DNA, but not a biological one.
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The 2025-2026 Shift
As of early 2026, the dynamic has shifted even further. Eric Adams faced significant legal challenges and a drop in polling that led to him withdrawing from the re-election race. Meanwhile, Adrienne Adams launched her own mayoral campaign in 2025, effectively running to replace the man people thought was her relative.
It’s the ultimate "it's complicated" relationship. They’ve gone from high school classmates to partners in government to political rivals.
What You Should Know Now
If you're trying to keep track of who's who in the current New York landscape, here’s the breakdown.
- Check the District: Adrienne represents Southeast Queens (Jamaica, Richmond Hill). Eric’s base was always Brooklyn.
- The Husband: Adrienne is married to Joseph J. Adams (which is where the surname comes from). Eric has never been married, though he has a son, Jordan, with a former partner.
- The Vibe: Adrienne is known for a more measured, corporate-style leadership. Eric... well, Eric is known for "swagger" and a high-energy, often controversial style.
Next time you see a headline about an "Adams vs. Adams" showdown, just remember: they’re just two people from Queens who happened to share a graduation year and a last name. The drama is strictly professional.
If you’re following the 2026 mayoral transition, keep an eye on how Adrienne leverages her "Queens-grown" identity against the legacy of the previous administration. You can verify her latest policy positions on the official City Council archive or through her campaign materials to see how she's distancing her platform from the former Mayor's.